Journey Stories: Agriculture & Economics / History
AGRICULTURE / ECONOMICS
LAUREL BRANCH
Beltsville Agricultural Research Center (BARC): The Science of Organic Farming
Wednesday, Oct. 10, 7 pm
Presenter: John Peter Thompson, President of the National Agricultural Research Alliance
BARC has been at the forefront of agricultural research for over 100 years. Come learn more about the “farm” as it has been affectionately called by those who lived in Laurel and worked at the internationally known research facility. Cosponsored by The Laurel Historical Society.
ACCOKEEK BRANCH
Meet the Author: J. Carlton (J.C.) Sharp’s The Barns of Southern Maryland
Families welcomed
Saturday, Oct. 6, 2 pm
The year is 1634. The first European immigrants land at St. Clements Island. The story of the birth of the state of Maryland unfolds and the role tobacco farms played in its economic growth. Within this setting, J.C. Sharp recounts the different types of barns that peppered Maryland’s history: Quilt Barns, Round Barns, and Mail Pouch Tobacco Barns. Did you ever wonder why the barns were red? Or, who opted for the Maryland Tobacco Buyout and why? What animals were the farmer’s best friends? Join us to discover the answers to these questions and more. Source: https://www.createspace.com/3538476 [1](Consulted Sept. 12, 2012)
*********************************************************************************************************************
*********************************************************************************************************************
HISTORY
BOWIE BRANCH
50th Anniversary of the Cuban Missile Crisis
Adults and Teens
Saturday, Oct. 20, 2 pm
Fifty years ago, from October 14-28, 1962, the world stood on the brink of Armageddon. Spy planes detected the construction of missile launch sites, with nuclear capabilities, in Cuba, a mere 90 miles from US soil. President Kennedy was urged to launch preemptive strikes against these sites, with the knowledge that by doing so he could trigger the start of World War III and a nuclear conflagration. Eventually Kennedy settled on a quarantine of Cuba to prevent the delivery of further offensive weaponry to Cuba from the Soviet Union. As the crisis continued to be played out, Kennedy worried that the Soviets might try to break through to Cuba and escalate the crisis still further. All the while, Kennedy kept both the American public and the world informed as the crisis developed. He did so by appearing on television as well as speaking on the radio. Please join us as curators from the National Capital Radio & Television Museum discuss how the president used the media and how their use in of themselves helped shape both the President’s and Soviet Premier’s decisions and actions in the crisis. Radio and television had evolved from mere witnesses to history to active participants.
Of Mice and Men Trial
Adults and Teens
Saturday, Nov. 10, 2 pm
2012 marks the 75th anniversary of the publication of Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men. The Bowie Branch Library will be having two programs to commemorate this special anniversary. Please join our Wednesday night book discussion as members will discuss this beloved book. Then join us Saturday, November 10, as the Bowie Library will put George Milton on trial for the murder of Lenny Small. A jury of 12 will be randomly selected by lottery from the audience, and high school debate team members from Woodstream Academy will prosecute and defend Mr. Milton. Witnesses will include the ranch hands from the Soledad, California ranch and labor leaders. This will be the fourth annual trial put on at the Bowie Branch Library to commemorate significant moments in American history, but the first “original” trial. John Steinbeck ended Of Mice and Men with the death of Lenny Small. But he never put George Milton on trial. Was it murder? Or should Mr. Milton be excused and not held accountable due to extenuating circumstances? Please join us to see what a jury will say 75 years later.
********************************************************************************************************************
********************************************************************************************************************
LAUREL BRANCH
Maryland Baseball Hall of Famers
Families welcome
Saturday, Oct. 6, 10 am
Come enjoy a presentation, display, and open discussion about the nine Maryland Baseball Players in the Hall of Fame. Sponsored by the Friends of the Laurel Library.
Maryland Soldiers in the Civil War
Families welcome
Tuesday, Oct. 2, 7 pm
Experience history with the 7th Maryland Infantry (U.S.) Company A. These reenactors will connect you with Maryland’s military legacy in the Civil War. Journey back in time and discover how the unit lived and fought to preserve the Union. Sponsored by the Friends of the Laurel Library.
NEW CARROLLTON
Hispanics and the Civil War
Saturday, Oct. 6, 2 pm
The Prince George’s County Historical Society will celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month this year with a visit from the National Park Service’s Chief of Interpretation and Education. Ms. Marta Cruz Kelly will introduce the Park Service’s recent publication: Hispanics and the Civil War: From Battle Field to Home Front. With Ms. Kelly’s guidance in English and Spanish, explore the many and often-untold stories of Hispanic men and women who bore arms or in other ways supported the war effort during the period 1861-1865.